In this Sunday's newspaper CompUSA advertised a Hewlett-Packard Pavilion PC for $199.99 after rebates! It comes with a flat panel LCD monitor too. Just amazing. I wouldn't get it for GIS work, but for just browsing the web, light word processing, listening to MP3's, watching a DVD, etc. it would be perfect. I am half tempted to get one for our front room "den" downstairs just for the convenience of always having a live connection nearby.

I remember just a few years ago that industry pundits said PC's wouldn't be able to go much lower than $1,000, and when they did everyone went nuts.